Renowned the world over as the largest chiming clock on the planet London’s Big Ben is also one of the tallest free standing clock towers on the globe. As the official clock tower of the Palace of Westminster the time keeper recently renamed Elizabeth Tower after Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is also one of the most photographed and visited sites in the British capital. Dating back more than a century the famous clock tower celebrated its 150th anniversary as recently as May, 2009. Built in 1858 this iconic bell tower not only serves as a prominent landmark in London but also as one of the most recognized symbols of Britain to date.
Featured in many a television news opening theme in Britain the edifice has made more than cameo appearances in films such as the likes of James Bond, Shanghai Knights and episodes of Dr. Who. Earning the accolade of being London’s “most iconic filming location” the Big Ben clock tower is also the focal point of New Year celebrations across Britain as the towering clock has heralded in each year with its resounding chimes and fireworks as Londoners look on at its four faces.
Designed by Augustus Pugin at the request of Charles Barry the 96.3m high tower was also the famed designer’s last commission. Displaying classic Gothic Revival style architectural elements the 16 storey high bell tower boasts clock dials vaulted 180 feet above ground that are visible to onlookers far beyond its location in venues across London. Designed by astronomer Royal George Airy and horologist Edmund Beckett Denison the clock’s movement is believed to be one of the most reliable in the world.
The original bell contained within the bell tower built in honour of Sir Benjamin Hall was a whopping 16.3 tonnes in weight although it was replaced with a 13.76 tonne bell in 1858. More than 2 meters in height and 2.9m in width the bell’s chimes ring in the rhythm of a tune known as the Cambridge Chimes which chimes 12 times every hour.
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